Page 37 of Entwined in Norway

‘Hey, it’s fine. Let them be excited. I’m pretty excited myself.’

She smiled at him. ‘Why?’

‘Because I get to spend another evening with you, and it’s nice to see you relaxed. You’re showing me a different Ida to the one I went out with last night.’

She laughed. ‘It’s a while since I went out for dinner with anyone other than them,’ she said, tipping her head towards the house. ‘Honestly, I’m relieved I didn’t have to think about what to wear tonight.’

‘You’re beautiful whatever you wear.’

She blushed. ‘You’re so direct, Erik. You say these things as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.’

‘I guess I don’t think too hard about what I say. When I feel something, it’s good to get it out.’

‘Well, it’s unusual.’

He laughed. ‘If you don’t have guys telling you you’re beautiful all the time, you definitely haven’t been getting out enough.’

‘Hei!’

Ida put her head in her hands as a man Erik hadn’t met yet came outside. ‘This is my brother Fredrik, who I thought was going to be back much later than this.’

Fredrik grinned, and they shook hands. ‘Good to meet you. Erik.’

‘I finished up early, so I thought I’d eat with you and then take Emil home.’

‘And when are Ingrid and Thea getting here?’ Ida asked him.

‘No need to be like that.’ He ruffled her hair before walking into the house.

‘You’re very lucky to have a family like this even if they drive you nuts.’

Ida sighed. ‘I know. I tell myself that all the time.’

This was the kind of thing he loved, and he always looked on, wistful that he didn’t have that. But being here tonight, being welcomed by Ida’s family was the next best thing.

‘I’m willing to throw myself into this, if you are,’ he said.

She raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m not sure you know what you’re getting into.’

‘I’ll take my chances.’

15

Emil was tickled pink that there were so many grown-ups to enjoy his pizza. Lotta gave him a pad of paper and asked him to make a list of what toppings everyone wanted. There was much hilarity when Erik requested chocolate.

‘You can’t have chocolate,’ Emil said, giggling.

‘I can’t? Well, I don’t know then. What’s the house special?’

‘Den beste pizzaen,’ Ida explained to him.

Emil didn’t hesitate. ‘Pepperoni.’

‘It’s good with hot honey,’ said Fredrik.

‘In that case, pepperoni with hot honey, please.’

‘Takk,’ Emil said, moving onto his next customer.